Hail to the Thief: Clinton Speech Opens Up ID Theft Possibility

Sep. 9, 2012

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1. Limit your risk of exposure: That means don't carry either your -- or your child's -- Social Security card in your wallet. Limit the number of debit and credit cards you leave home with (and always keep a record of the contact information in a safe place). Don't provide personal information to people you don't know by phone, in person or online. Use the most sophisticated security software on your computer, iPad and smart phone, and update it as much as possible. Shred all documents you no longer want or need which contain your sensitive data. Beware of phishing email (spear as well as general). Be careful as to the links you click, or pictures you open, even if you think you know the person. Never send money to people you don't know or money to people you do know, unless they specifically ask you verbally. Do not respond to texts telling you to call numbers that look (and will sound) official because you are talking to "Ivan in card security" or "Peggy in customer service." Use strong passwords on all of your apps (alpha numeric not stupid Like your birthdate),and don't share them among sites. Always spell the URL of every site you visit properly.

2. Either enroll in a credit and public records monitoring program, or establish a set of personal protocols that require you to review your credit reports and Social Security Earnings Statements at least annually, your bank and credit card accounts daily and your Explanation of Benefits from your health insurer as appropriate. Also sign up for email and text notification programs with your financial institution, which alerts you to activity in your account -- in many cases in real time.

3. Check with your insurance agent, your account rep at your bank or credit union, your HR department at work, or Student Services at your university to find out if they have a damage control program that can help you navigate the nightmare of an identity theft in the event you become a victim. Several insurance companies offer assistance to their home and auto policyholders; banks and credit unions have them for their depositors and members; Employee Assistance Programs provide help in a bundle of benefits and institutions of higher learning protect their students; faculty or staff as a perk of your relationship with them. Others charge various fees for different levels of service. You can check with the Consumer Federation of America as well as various other organizations to get specifics, as well as reviews of various programs.

Bottom line here -- it doesn't matter how many laws exist, or how vigorously they are enforced -- your identity is your asset. No one has a greater stake in protecting your financial security than you do. And, the ultimate guardian of the consumer is the consumer.

It's good to be enthusiastic about a candidate and a cause. It's bad to wave personal identification cards in front of cameras.

Adam Levin is chairman and cofounder of Credit.com and Identity Theft 911. His experience as former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs gives him unique insight into consumer privacy, legislation and financial advocacy. He is a nationally recognized expert on identity theft and credit.

This work is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News.